THE WISDOM OF AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1923, Page 4

THE WISDOM OF AMERICA

(Ry Sir Ernest Benn). It is fashionable among all classes of politicians to argue that if oniy America would tome to Europe everything could he put right. It is assumed that any nation, if in trouble, whether it be Russia or France, the trouble would disappear at once il only America would join the League ol Nations, or take part in some Conference. or do something which she is not now doing. This is surely a very dangerous as well as a very degrading attitude, and it would seem to he time for someone in Europe to take the trouble to say what everybody ill America is saying all the time, that no case has vet been made nut lor any more intervention in European affairs than America has already undertaken. When there lias been something quite definite and useful to be done America has never displayed any lack ol ability or of willingness to do it. Kite came into the war just at the right time, when her weight in the balance could be elfcctive and decisive. Site lilt'l come into the real constructive work of Europe and its business allairs iit.-t asotsn as Europe was ready to do any business. Rut site has always reimined from complicating discussions which are already far 100 complicated, and from which no one in Europe lias yet been able to foresee or discover a deliniie entt.-t rtietit e and permanent out -

"PAKKIN'G THE RECK." To do iu-t.-ce to Europe, the' dcm.'M : for Atiicriiai! intervention is at least eon -i-tutn with Eui'i'iie's way ol looking tit thing- and Europe's present habit of thought. Whatever we waul, we of tin obi world. We proceed at mice to place the responsibility lor .supplying the tie.--.I upon s.niched;.' cl-o. If it is houses, we vote for them, il it is trade we swear at Res-

-in, wo mini.' of us have am rosponsihiliiie.- ourselves, they ale always ]ilaeetl ('lsewlu-re. The yamo which i ■ mi perfectly ilescrihe,| in America is "pa-sine; 11 it* buck," has become the universal occupation ol tin* nations of Kurope and ol (lie people who compose these nations. The American atliiude in the e circumstances seems to ho .that we may pass Liu* hue!; round a mono ourselves as much as we like, hip I tr. i ue shall not pas- it on to her. Thai is mu sellislim- ;. it is ample < uminmi sense: no pood comeperson who passes n pain- nothin!', ilie person who eet- ii i- no hotter oil'. We do not net Imu-es l>v shouiiliy a! sc me i led ;■ i■! -1 lo do n ; there i- mi!,', one win known in h.iiimii experience ■I pel i ii;.. a ii.m-i—that is lor a Imildei 1 o Imild il . aml a n oeeupier to pay lor ii. We do not yet trade by ui:iins' inprepmeiii s with Lenin : we all know helorehalld that il the ino-i rI’eel aei'ci'iiieiil were made wilh Russia no dilferruee in trade would occur, and we should then continue ihe panic and pass ihe Imck to somebody else. In such circumstance.-, America. a country which tains not only the wealth of the world, lull the hulk id the goodwill and human kindness of the world, verv propoilv and very riehlly keep; oil! of Kurope. She does not keep out heeanse -hi' i afraid of a jeli of work, she lines mu keen mu liccausc -he is selfish, she has conic in wilh cal rani-bin.iry liluualiiy when charily was u-i fill and needed, sha keep- on; a' ihe moment simp'y lie cause there is mu hilly to do. no purpose to he served hy any outside interference. no pood ran cullic ii ai) lire present yanm of pa-siny the luick. A rl' N ! s.\ M KNTA 1. 1)1 ITKIt KNt K. Amerie.i and Kurope are. ip mallei'. Hi puli | ieal I i raniily end p dil i • ::! ■ a.■ a"J11 . Ide' Oil ami n hut. I hey i' ll! -Ill'll sly »j Terrill , their way of look illy iiidividmd i- -iipi'oc’ a iU. I ..o ereneoP . f i iu- iiihe. 11 !• ::i! ntuLs, I n lutii olio ihe individual Im lonuer eolliit s tor anythin.'', ihe State i- ihe first cou- - iilera licit : v.e all run ie exist in orI Ill'l l io.u. V e are llleml'er- ol a iia Ie tllliett. ci an army. el a tav.-pay iup chi--, wearer' m -mpe pari ienh'i - unsI I ■. i l l . or lioldei's ol some parl ieilla!’ I form ol 111 . or authority, and alum.l oulv U-e I- o, elldde i! a t 1 ol,ilo prow and rw. !i and display i hem -,'lve;. Tie- ! ml: vidua! m im ! liver a consider,", linn ip Kurope : fair •pi- i - e- -a P isi nl iu Si a las, a lid thindividual is ihe tioco'-an n omewliai iin iiim'iiient im'i that 1,1 malt' up those states. Su’re ol panisatiou of itself can do ’oilhiiip, and since we are determined ill Kurope to do nothin;' lint organise. I follow-: that iielhuiy will he done in Knrep-. Surelv Aineriea is not only n i-.p from lior point of view, Iml from iilr p dm of view, seeiuy as she does a." lolly of I his whole business, to Iceline to coino iii lo he oryanised ami basis . | hy ol her lraiple. and to aha n!on Icr happy prarlieahilily for that iclitiaal -ejilii .! ry uliicli a! the mom ill i- h'lirope’s l< :i• li» ll hue,